Jim Varney

Lanky comic performer of TV and film with a prominent nose, best known for his portrayal of the dimwitted Southern nuisance, Ernest P. Worrell. Varney's signature character first appeared in commercia...
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"Hey Vern," roll the credits. Jim Varney, the big-nosed, gawky actor who brought empty-headed hayseed pitch-man Ernest P. Worrell to life in a series of popular, albeit arguably annoying TV commercials and then in a skein of kids' movies, died today of lung cancer. He was 50.
Varney, an actor since his teen years, had been in the public eye for more than 25 years. He was a stand-up comic in New York in the early 1970s, and became a regular on the TV variety series "Johnny Cash and Friends" in 1976. He also was a regular on "Fernwood 2-Night," "Operation Petticoat" and other late 1970s TV comedy shows. His (literally) in-your-face TV ads, with his nose pressed against the camera and his incessant "Hey Vern" sales spiels, began airing in 1980.
But it was Varney's "Ernest" movies, with their innocent brand of slapstick, goofball comedy, that endeared him to kids. The movies always featured a story in which Ernest, the idiot savant, helps a group of children out of some problem or predicament. The first of these films was "Ernest Goes to Camp" (1987), followed by "Ernest Saves Christmas," "Ernest Scared Stupid," "Ernest Rides Again," "Ernest Goes to School," "Slam Dunk Ernest," "Ernest In the Army" and others. Some were released theatrically, while others were of the straight-to-video variety.
Varney also did a lot of non-"Ernest" stuff, including "Wilder Napalm" (1993) with Dennis Quaid and Debra Winger. In that same year, he played Jed Clampett in the big-screen version of "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Most recently, he played the voice of Slinky Dog in "Toy Story 2" (reprising the role from the original "Toy Story"). He also had roles in two yet-unreleased movies due out later this year.

It looks like tough sledding for Hollywood this pre-Christmas weekend, according to distribution executives with an eye on tracking study data.None of the three new wide releases appears likely to open impressively.
"It doesn't look too exciting in terms of the openings," said one studioexecutive. "The first choice on 'Bicentennial Man' is running only like 8%. Now, admittedly, it's (only mid-week) but I would think they would like to have been in double digits by now."
Buena Vista/Touchstone and Columbia Pictures' PG-rated sci-fi fantasy "Bicentennial Man," directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams, opens Friday at about 2,200 theaters.
While 2,200 theaters is certainly a wide break, it's not as wide as last weekend's theater count for "Toy Story 2" (3,257), "The Green Mile" (2,875), "The World Is Not Enough" (3,063), "End Of Days" (2,652) or "Sleepy Hollow" (3,065).
"It's plenty wide enough to get you to a $15 million or, even, $20 million opening, if the picture is there," a distributor observed. "These additional runs that have been added from 2,000 to 3,000 are, for the most part, rather marginal runs.
"They're not going to keep you from getting $20 million, if you've got the goods. But 'Bicentennial Man,' from this tracking now, is nowhere near $20 million. It's lucky to crack double digits."
"'Anna' is only a 6% first choice," the executive added. Twentieth Century Fox's PG-13-rated drama "Anna and the King," directed by Andy Tennant and starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, arrives Friday at about 2,000 theaters.
"'Stuart Little's" like a 5% first choice, but it's a kids' movie, so who knows?" he said. "It could certainly be $8-10 million, which would put it there with 'Anna and the King.'"
Typically, films targeted to kids do not track well because the research does not generally reflect children's moviegoing plans. "Stuart Little," Columbia's PG-rated family comedy directed by Rob Minkoff and starring Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Lipnicki, kicks off Friday at more than 2,800 theaters.
"It's hard for me to believe that 'Bicentennial Man' doesn't at least get into the low teens (in millions of dollars opening weekend)," he said. "I've got to believe the tracking is just low at this point.
"It's a Robin Williams movie. If they don't crack $12-13 million, even that would be a disappointment."
A big factor in how well the new films do is how well Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's blockbuster "Toy Story 2" continues to hold. The G-rated computer-animated sequel is expected to have $200 million through New Year's, on its way to $250 million to $275 million or more in domestic theaters. Directed by John Lasseter, "Toy 2" features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris and R. Lee Ermey.
"If 'Toy Story' takes the same percentage drop (of 34%) it took last weekend, it will do $12 million," he noted. "If 'Green Mile' is down 38%, it's $11 million. If it's down 35%, it's $12 million. I think both 'Toy Story' and 'Green Mile' are somewhere in the $11-12 million range. Then 'Bicentennial Man,' maybe, gets above that. But those three could be right in there together (fighting for the top spot on the chart)."
Warner Bros. and Castle Rock Entertainment's R-rated prison death-row drama "The Green Mile," written and directed by Frank Darabont, stars Tom Hanks. "My hunch is 'Toy Story' out grosses ' Green Mile,'" a close observer of the marketplace commented. "I think 'Green Mile' is going to take a 35-40% hit. 'Toy Story' is hanging in there well."
Family-appeal films will get some help, a distributor said, because, "Beginning this Monday, a lot of kids are out of school for the two-week holiday break. That's very favorable to Sunday's business for any movie that gets a family or kids audience. Of course, that means 'Toy Story' and 'Stuart Little' and 'Anna,' to some extent. That will mean a strong Sunday for those movies.
"I think 'Toy Story' probably beats 'Green Mile.' The question is, can 'Bicentennial Man' get up there enough to beat 'Toy Story 2' But, I think, 'Toy Story' does no worse than No. 2 this weekend. And, maybe, 'Green Mile' is third. Then, it's between 'Anna' and 'Stuart Little' and 'Deuce Bigalow' for that $7-9 million range, probably."
Buena Vista/ Touchstone's R-rated youth-appeal comedy "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" opened to a brisk $12.2 million last weekend. Directed by Mike Mitchell, it stars Rob Schneider. It has an advantage in that its young adult and teen-age audience is more available to do pre-Christmas moviegoing than the adult audience is.
Filling out the lower rungs of this weekend's Top 10 will be holdovers such as MGM's PG-13-rated James Bond epic "The World Is Not Enough," directed by Michael Apted and starring Pierce Brosnan; Universal and Beacon Pictures' R-rated supernatural thriller "End of Days," directed by Peter Hyams and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; Paramount's R-rated period action-drama "Sleepy Hollow," directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci; and Universal's R-rated thriller "The Bone Collector," directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
Looking ahead to the next weekend, there are encouraging signs for both Warner Bros.' drama "Any Given Sunday," directed by Oliver Stone and starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz, opening Dec. 22 at about 2,500 theaters; and Paramount's drama "The Talented Mr. Ripley," written and directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett, opening Christmas Day at about 2,200 theaters.
"I've heard reports from exhibitors who have seen 'Any Given Sunday' that they liked the movie," says one studio executive. "They're a reflection of their audience. What's particularly making it look stronger is that (Universal's) 'Man On the Moon' is not screening (well)." Directed by Milos Forman, "Moon" stars Jim Carrey as the late comedian Andy Kaufman. It opens Dec. 22 at about 2,000 theaters.
"The same exhibitors who were optimistic about 'Truman Show,' even though it wasn't a traditional Jim Carrey vehicle (but) just because they liked the movie, seem to be skeptical about 'Man On the Moon," an insider said. "I think the conventional wisdom is now that the best hope for that movie is to open on the strength of Jim Carrey because after that initial week or so, it's going to go south.
"I think 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' could have a similar problem in smaller markets in the South and in the Midwest after 10 days. But 'Ripley,' I think, will hold in there well in the big cities. 'Ripley' is sort of a chick flick, and 'Any Given Sunday' is definitely a man's movie."
Overall, he concluded, "I think 'Ripley' and 'Any Given Sunday' are looking very strong right now for an adult audience over the holidays and into January in what is generally perceived now as going to be a weak Christmas, certainly weak compared to Thanksgiving.
"Exhibitors are saying they are anticipating a soft Christmas both because of the calendar, with Christmas being on Saturday, but also because of the product, which, by and large, they've seen now."
When Christmas falls on a Saturday, it hurts Friday night business because Christmas Eve is traditionally a night that many people stay home rather than go out to see movies.
Looking at the weeklong Christmas-New Year's period, he added, "For that Saturday and Sunday, 'Ripley' and 'Sunday' have a chance to be No. 1, but for the seven days from Christmas to New Year's, I believe 'Toy Story's' No. 1. Once you get into that holiday week, every day's just another $5-6 million. It just cranks out on the cash register. 'Toy Story' is a family movie that adults are willing to see, and that's important, as we saw over Thanksgiving."
It also helps that "Toy Story 2" runs about only 90 minutes and can have more performances per day than a number of other holiday season releases with running times of 2-3 hours.
"It makes a difference, particularly once you get to Christmas," says one distribution expert. "There's so much film out there that in a lot of megaplexes where at Thanksgiving pictures could be playing on two or three screens (because there was less product in the marketplace) and you'd get the staggered showtimes, by the time you get down to Christmas week, a lot of those movies will be down to one screen.
"This is a problem for 'The Green Mile' (which runs 3 hours) because 'The Green Mile' needs as 'Titanic' needed those double screens for the staggered showtimes. But because they opened Dec. 10 and depending on what kind of drop they have this weekend, in a lot of complexes they will lose that second screen Christmas week. And that will hurt them. 'Toy Story' in a lot of cases will still be on two screens, but even if it's only on one, you get more shows in."
For some moviegoers, he adds, "Running time is a negative when they look at what they might go see. Three hours is four hours when you include getting there and going home. And if you go out for dinner, it becomes five or six hours."
On the specialized front, a number of Oscar and Golden Globe nomination hopefuls will be trying to attract moviegoers in major cities this weekend. Miramax's PG-13-rated drama "The Cider House Rules" will expand from exclusive runs in New York and Los Angeles to a platform release in the top 20 markets. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, it stars Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron and Michael Caine. Set at an orphanage in Maine, the film is based on the best seller by John Irving, who adapted his novel to the screen.
New Line's R-rated drama "Magnolia" opens exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles. Set in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, it weaves nine different stories together over the course of its three-hour running time. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights"), it stars an ensemble cast headed by Tom Cruise, William H. Macy and Julianne Moore.
USA Films' R-rated Civil War drama "Ride With the Devil" widens to the top 25 markets. Directed by Ang Lee, it stars Tobey Maguire, Skeet Ulrich and pop singer Jewel.
USA Films' R-rated bio-drama "Topsy-Turvy" opens exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles. Written and directed by Mike Leigh, it stars Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in the story of Britain's Gilbert &amp; Sullivan at a turning point in their musical careers.

Hollywood is expecting Warner Bros. and Castle Rock Entertainment's opening of "The Green Mile" to walk off with the most box office green this weekend.
The R-rated drama, written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks, kicks off at more than 2,850 theaters.
"'Toy Story [2],' if it's down in the neighborhood of 35-40%, is $16-18 million. And I think 'Green Mile' beats that based on the tracking. They're sitting there with an 18% first choice right now," one studio executive said earlier this week."
"It is high," he said of the tracking results. "Although I understand the reviews are not very good, with Tom Hanks (starring), that's $20 million-plus."
While a $20 million-plus opening is certainly very attractive, it's not spectacular. One of the factors working against a bigger first weekend for the adult appeal "Green" is that adults are busy with shopping and other things in the post-Thanksgiving weeks.
"Women are not so available (this weekend) with Christmas shopping and parties and all that," the executive observed. "But it is Tom Hanks. If anything keeps it from getting to $20 million, it's exactly that factor -- the time of the year. Last year, 'You've Got Mail' opened to something like $18 million ($18.4 million via Warner Bros. the weekend of Dec. 18-20). But you probably have more male interest in 'Green Mile' than there was in 'You've Got Mail,' which was more of a chick flick."
On the other hand, he added, "If 'Toy Story' is down only 28%, that's $20 million, too. But my gut feeling is 'Green Mile' probably edges it out, and then 'Toy Story' is somewhere around $18 million."
The Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar G-rated computer-animated blockbuster "Toy Story 2" is heading for $250 million to $300 million in domestic theaters. Directed by John Lasseter, "Toy 2" features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris and R. Lee Ermey.
Third place this weekend should go to Buena Vista/Touchstone's opening of its R-rated youth-appeal comedy "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" at about 2,000 theaters.
"'Deuce Bigalow' has actually got a 12% first choice at this point," the executive said. "I think that's (a gross) somewhere in the low-to-mid-teens. I understand it's a pretty rough R, but I don't think that will keep teen-age and young-adult audiences from coming to see it." Directed by Mike Mitchell, it stars "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Rob Schneider.
MGM's "The World Is Not Enough" should wind up in fourth place with around $7 million. The PG-13-rated "World," the 19th in MGM's James Bond series, is directed by Michael Apted and stars Pierce Brosnan in his third performance as 007.
There could be a close race for fifth place. Both Universal and Beacon Pictures' R-rated action epic "End of Days" and Paramount's R-rated "Sleepy Hollow" could wind up grossing around $6 million this weekend.
Directed by Peter Hyams, "End of Days" is a supernatural thriller pitting Arnold Schwarzenegger against Satan. "Sleepy Hollow," directed by Tim Burton, stars Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.
Universal's R-rated thriller "The Bone Collector," directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, which finished fifth last weekend, appears likely to come in seventh this time around.
"'Bone Collector' has been hanging in there respectably, but it was down to $3.2 million last weekend and, I'm assuming, they're going to lose theaters because they're at that point now where they're just going to get crowded out of the 12-plexes and so on. It should be somewhere in the low $2 millions."
Rounding out the chart in eighth, ninth and 10th place will be three of the following four films: Warner Bros.' G-rated animated feature "Pokemon: The First Movie"; Lions Gate's R-rated irreverent comedy "Dogma," directed by Kevin Smith and starring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Linda Fiorentino; Buena Vista/Touchstone's R-rated drama "The Insider," directed by Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe; and USA Films' R-rated comedy-drama "Being John Malkovich," directed by Spike Jonze and starring John Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener.
On the specialized front, there will be considerable activity this weekend. Miramax's PG-13-rated drama "The Cider House Rules" starts exclusive runs in New York and Los Angeles. A likely Oscar and Golden Globes contender in a number of the major categories, "Cider House" was adapted to the screen by John Irving from his own novel. It was directed by Lasse Hallstrom and stars Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron and Michael Caine.
Miramax's PG-13-rated comedy-drama "Diamonds" opens in New York for a one-week Oscar qualifying run. Directed by John Asher, it stars Kirk Douglas, Dan Aykroyd and Lauren Bacall.
Warner Bros.' R-rated comedy-drama "Liberty Heights," which opened in mid-November in New York, L.A. and Baltimore (where it takes place), goes into limited release. The studio will hold sneak previews of the critically acclaimed "Heights" the following weekend and take it wider Dec. 22. Written and directed by Barry Levinson, the film stars Adrien Brody, Ben Foster, Orlando Jones, Bebe Neuwirth and Joe Mantegna.
MGM's R-rated drama "Miss Julie" starts exclusive runs in New York and L.A. Directed by Mike Figgis, it stars Saffron Burrows, Peter Mullan and Maria Doyle Kennedy.
Fine Line's PG-13-rated drama "Tumbleweeds," playing in New York and L.A. since Nov. 24, goes into limited release in the top 15 markets. Directed by Gavin O'Connor, it stars Janet McTeer and Kimberly J. Brown.
Looking ahead to the weekend of Dec. 17-19, insiders say 20th Century Fox's "Anna and the King" is at this early point only a 5 percent first choice in tracking studies. Buena Vista/Touchstone's "Bicentennial Man" is an 8 percent first choice. Those numbers should increase as their marketing campaigns kick in, especially with television advertising.
The PG-13-rated period drama "Anna" is directed by Andy Tennant and stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat. The PG-rated family comedy "Bicentennial Man" is directed by Chris Columbus and stars Robin Williams.
Also arriving in theaters Dec. 17 is Columbia's PG rated fantasy-adventure "Stuart Little." "Of course, 'Stuart Little's' very hard to judge because kids' movies just don't track well," the studio executive said.
On the other hand, Universal's R-rated bio-drama "Man On The Moon," directed by Milos Forman and starring Jim Carrey as late comedian Andy Kaufman, is already said to be showing a 9% first-choice score in tracking studies.
"You've got to figure that's (because of) Carrey," says the executive. Since "Man" doesn't land in theaters until Dec. 22, there's plenty of time for its already good score to increase and translate into a big opening weekend.

The Super Bowl sacked Hollywood over the weekend with a gross of only about $6.2 million being enough to grab first place.
There was a close race for top honors among Destination Films' opening of its thriller "Eye Of the Beholder," Universal's Oscar contender "The Hurricane" and New Line's urban-appeal comedy sequel "Next Friday." As always, Monday's actual numbers could reverse today's estimated results.
Although Destination's "Eye" appeared to have the weekend's best score with about $6.2 million, it was not an impressive one.
"There was no No. 1 film in 1999 lower than $9 million," one studio distribution president said Sunday morning, looking back at the record books. "That was 'The Best Man' (the weekend of) Oct. 22-24, 1999, with $9.03 million. In 1998, the lowest-grossing No. 1 film was 'He Got Game' (the weekend of) May 1-3 with $7.6 million."
As far as the total for key films, he added, "This looks like $60 million at best, all in. That would be the lowest, probably, since last April 23-25 with $57.2 million." (The weekend estimated total wound up getting to about $62.7 million thanks to a number of slightly higher estimates across the board plus a big boost from Buena Vista/Disney's IMAX release of "Fantasia," which added $1.92 million to the total.)
It was the second consecutive weekend with no films cracking double-digits, as Hollywood insiders anticipated. The last time there were back-to-back weekends with single-digit grosses, according to Exhibitor Relations President Paul Dergarabedian, was October 1998. New Line's "Pleasantville" was No. 1 the weekend of Oct. 23-25 with $8.8 million. Sony's "John Carpenter's Vampires" placed first the next weekend (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) with $9.1 million.
Destination Films, which opened its R-rated psychological thriller "Eye of the Beholder," had not reported an estimate for the film by mid-morning today. Reports from the gross-tracking source Entertainment Data Inc. put it in first place with an unexciting estimated $6.21 million at 1,673 theaters ($3,712 per theater).
Directed by Stephan Elliott, it stars Ewan McGregor and Ashley Judd. Its story revolves around an intelligence agent (McGregor) obsessed with his very seductive prey (Judd).
Despite Judd's previous success with Paramount's "Double Jeopardy," which has grossed about $115 million, most distribution sources said they had very reduced expectations for "Eye." Destination reportedly picked up the independently made film for domestic release for about $4 million.
Universal's critically acclaimed R-rated drama "The Hurricane," which had been third the previous week, packed a powerful punch to tie for second place -- holding incredibly well despite Super Bowl competition for male moviegoers -- with a solid estimated $6 million (-8%) at 2,135 theaters (+34 theaters, $2,800 per theater). Its total is approximately $31.2 million.
Directed by Norman Jewison, it stars Denzel Washington as wrongly imprisoned boxing champion Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
Helping to drive "Hurricane" was its Golden Globe victory for best actor/drama (Washington). The film is regarded as a likely candidate for Oscar nominations in a number of prime categories.
"The story of the weekend is that 'Hurricane' had such a tremendous hold," Universal Distribution President Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "I think Super Bowl Sunday could be devastating for pictures like 'Next Friday' and 'Eye Of the Beholder.' We know what word of mouth is on 'Eye of the Beholder.' It got an F on CinemaScore.
"The fact is, 'Hurricane' is a picture that's been embraced by the public. They love the film."
Helping "Hurricane," Rocco said, was that it "received a tremendous amount of positive word of mouth from the Golden Globes. Denzel won, and they talked about how wonderful the film was. Seeing an 8% drop from this weekend to last weekend, that to me is the story of the weekend -- not who was $6.015 million, who's reporting $6 million, who thinks their picture's going to do more than $6 million. It's the story of the hold on 'Hurricane.'"
"Next Friday," last week's top-grossing film, tied for second place in its third week with a still happy estimated $6 million (-25%) at 1,335 theaters ($4,495 per theater). Its total is approximately $39.8 million.
Directed by Steve Carr, it was written by, stars and was produced by Ice Cube. "Friday's" per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release last weekend.
"Friday" got a big boost this weekend, according to New Line Executive Vice President, Distribution, David Tuckerman, from its opening at 44 theaters in Canada. Tuckerman said Sunday morning that the film's Canadian playdates probably accounted for about $500,000 of the estimated $6 million weekend gross.
"We opened Canada Friday, and it looks like it's the biggest urban picture opening ever,"Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "That's the reason why it dropped 25%. We've got, like, $500,000 worth of gross coming out of Canada. It looks like it's going to be about $10,000 a screen (in Canada). Originally, they were going to go out on 10 (screens)."
Tuckerman said the film is being distributed by Alliance in Canada and that New Line was consulting on its release there.
Reflecting on the weekend's estimates, Tuckerman observed, "Everybody, I think, is using 50% of Saturday for Sunday. I think everybody's going to be probably 40% because of the Super Bowl. It's hard to judge. Based on what I'm looking at, we used 50% and I think everybody else used 50%."
Columbia's PG-rated family comedy "Stuart Little" continued in fourth place in its seventh week, holding well with an estimated $4.80 million (-24%) at 3,041 theaters (-110 theaters, $1,600 per theater). Its total is approximately $123.1 million, heading for $140 million or more in domestic theaters.
Directed by Rob Minkoff, it stars Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Lipnicki.
"Certainly, 'Stuart' will hold up best on Super Bowl weekend," Sony Pictures Releasing President Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "It's been managing to hold up above the curve every weekend it's been out. We're now in week seven, and we've got in $123 million and, I think, we're on our way to $140 million. Really, it's exceeded everybody's hopes."
Focusing on the Super Bowl's effect on the box office, Blake said, "Super Bowl weekend never has been a good weekend, but people have been very opportunistic the last couple years with 'She's All That,' which was focused for the perfect (teen girl) audience that wouldn't be that interested in the Super Bowl and 'Spice World,' the year before that."
There also was a close race for fifth place. Warner Bros. and Castle Rock Entertainment's R-rated death-row drama "The Green Mile," which placed fifth last week, reported an estimated $4.06 million (-25%) in its eighth week at 2,371 theaters (-112 theaters, $1,712 per theater). Its total is approximately $115.2 million, heading for $130 million in domestic theaters.
Written and directed by Frank Darabont, it stars Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.
"It'll go to $130 million," Warner Bros. Distribution President Dan Fellman said Sunday morning. "If we get a push from the Academy, maybe a little bit more."
Miramax's PG-13-rated teen-appeal romantic comedy "Down To You," last week's No. 2 film, reported a less sexy estimated $4 million (-47%) in its second week at 1,977 theaters (+6 theaters, $2,023 per theater). Its total is approximately $13 million.
Written and directed by Kris Isacsson, it stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Julia Stiles.
DreamWorks' PG-rated sci-fi fantasy comedy "Galaxy Quest" slipped one rung to seventh place in its sixth week with a less attractive estimated $3.50 million (-22%) a 2,209 theaters (-50 theaters, $1,584 per theater). Its total is approximately $58.9 million, heading for about $70 million in domestic theaters. Directed by Dean Parisot, it stars Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman.
Columbia's R-rated drama "Girl, Interrupted" skidded one post to eighth in its sixth week with a less compelling estimated $3.30 million (-24%) at 1,935 theaters (theatre count unchanged, $1,705 per theater). Its total is approximately $21.2 million.
Directed by James Mangold, "Girl" stars Winona Ryder and recent Golden Globe winner Angelina Jolie.
Paramount's R-rated drama "The Talented Mr. Ripley" was off one peg to ninth place in its sixth week with a less charming estimated $2.83 million (-24%) at 2,142 theaters (-73 theaters, $1,319 per theater). Its total is approximately $72.3 million, heading for about $80 million in domestic theaters.
Written and directed by Anthony Minghella, it stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's G-rated computer-animated blockbuster "Toy Story 2," up one slot in its 11th weekend with a still OK estimated $2.40 million (-19%) at 1,796 theaters (-194 theaters, $1,336 per theater). Its total is approximately $234.4 million.
Directed by John Lasseter, it features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris and R. Lee Ermey.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival of Universal's R-rated drama "Isn't She Great," placing 17th with a soft estimated $1.34 million at 750 theaters ($1,780 per theater).
Directed by Andrew Bergman, it stars Bette Midler and Nathan Lane in the story of the life of best-selling author Jacqueline Susann ("Valley of the Dolls").
Providence Entertainment's PG-rated family-appeal outdoor adventure "Grizzly Falls" moved into new markets, placing 32nd with a not very scary estimated $0.063 million at 96 theaters ($660 per theater). Its total, including earlier runs, is approximately $0.096 million.
Directed by Stewart Raffill, it stars Bryan Brown, Tom Jackson, Oliver Tobias and Richard Harris.
Warner Bros. R-rated comedy "The Big Tease," set in the world of celebrity hairdressing, opened in 35th place to a calm estimated $0.032 million at 4 theaters in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco ($8,000 per theater).
Directed by Kevin Allen, it stars Craig Ferguson and Frances Fisher.
Fine Line Features' G-rated Oscar contender for Best Foreign Language Film, "The Cup," kicked off at 4 theaters in New York and L.A., placing 34th with an OK estimated $0.032 million ($8,066 per theater).
Directed by Khyentse Norbu, it is the story of attempts to hook up a satellite dish at a Tibetan monastery so its soccer fan monks can watch the 1998 World Cup matches.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Last weekend saw no national sneak previews.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, last weekend saw USA Films R-rated drama "Topsy-Turvy" go wider in its seventh week, placing 24th with a sedate estimated $0.51 million at 71 theaters (+31 theaters, $7,120 per theater). Its total is approximately $1.5 million.
Written and directed by Mike Leigh, it stars Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner.
USA Films' R-rated comedy "Being John Malkovich" expanded in its 14th weekend, placing 26th with a quiet estimated $0.34 million at 233 theaters (+41 theaters, $1,440 per theater). Its total is approximately $20.6 million.
Directed by Spike Jonze, it stars John Malkovich, playing himself, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener.
USA Films' reissue of the PG-rated suspense/cop drama "Rear Window" added a few theaters, placing 33rd with an encouraging estimated $0.033 million at 3 theaters ($11,065 per theater). Its re-issue total is approximately $0.055 million.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, it stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly. The 1954 film classic was restored by Robert Harris and James Katz.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $62.68 million, down approximately 9.16% from $69million for the comparable weekend last year.
Last weekend's key film gross for three days was down 17.72% compared to the previous weekend when key films grossed $76.18 million.
Last year, Miramax's opening week of "She's All That" was first with $16.07 million at 2,222 theaters ($7,230 per theatre); and Universal's sixth weekend of "Patch Adams" was second with $6 million at 2,909 theaters ($2,085 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $22.1 million. This year, the top two films grossed an estimated $12.2 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films, last weekend's top six distributors were the following:
Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia, TriStar) was first with three films ("Stuart Little," "Girl, Interrupted" and "The End of the Affair") grossing an estimated $9.30 million or 14.8% of the market.
Universal was second with three films ("Isn't She Great," "Snow Falling on Cedars" and "The Hurricane"), grossing an estimated $8.19 million or 13.1% of the market.
Buena Vista (Touchstone and Disney) was third with five films ("Play it to the Bone," "Toy Story 2," "Fantasia 2000," "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" and "Bicentennial Man"), grossing an estimated $7.88 million or 12.6% of the market.
New Line was fourth with two films ("Next Friday" and "Magnolia") grossing an estimated $7.50 million or 12% of the market.
Destination Films was fifth with one film ("Eye Of the Beholder"), grossing an estimated $6.21 million or 9.9% of the market.
Miramax (Miramax, Dimension) tied for sixth place with two films ("Down To You" and "The Cider House Rules") grossing an estimated $5.70 million or 9.1% of the market.
Warner Bros. Also had two films ("The Green Mile" and "Any Given Sunday") gross an estimated $5.70 million or 9.1% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11) "Fantasia 2000"/BV/Disney: Theaters: 54 (0) (all IMAX in U.S.) Gross: $1.92 million (-6%) Average per theater: $35,570 Total: $21.1 million (worldwide total, including 21 international IMAX theaters, for 31 days)
(12) "Angela's Ashes"/Paramount: Theaters: 611 (+1) Gross: $1.80 million (-44%) Average per theater: $2,946 Total: $6.4 million
(13) "The Cider House Rules"/Miramax: Theaters: 843 (+20) Gross: $1.70 million (-25%) Average per theater: $2,016 Total: $18 million
(14) "Play it to the Bone/BV: Theaters: 1,588 (+32) Gross: $1.67 million (-51%) Average per theater: $1,050 Total: $6.2 million
(15) "Any Given Sunday"/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 2,012 (-189) Gross: $1.58 million (-35%) Average per theater: $783 Total: $72.5 million
(16) "Magnolia"/New Line: Theaters: 1,086 (+9) Gross: $1.50 million (-28%) Average per theater: $1,381 Total: $17.4 million
(17) "Isn't She Great"/Universal (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(18) "Supernova"/MGM: Theaters: 2,071 (-209) Gross: $1.20 million (-52%)(tie) Average per theater: $575 Total: $12.1 million
(18) The End of the Affair Theaters: 688 (+2) Gross: $1.20 million (-28%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,744 Total: $7 million
(20) "Bicentennial Man"/BV: Theaters: 1,202 (-405) Gross: $1.02 million (-35%) Average per theater: $845 Total: $55.7 million
(21) "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo"/BV: Theaters: 1,143 (-323) Gross: $0.87 million (-39%) Average per theater: $765 Total: $62.1 million
(22) "Snow Falling On Cedars"/Universal: Theaters: 999 (-100) Gross: $0.85 million (-39%) Average per theater: $855 Total: $11.7 million
(23) "American Beauty"/DreamWorks: Theaters: 344 (+77) Gross: $0.69 million (+60%) Average per theater: $1,997 Total: $74.3 million
(24) "Anna and the King"/Fox: Theaters: 730 (-210) Gross: $0.65 million (-29%) Average per theater: $885 Total: $36.9 million
(25) "The World Is Not Enough"/MGM: Theaters: 857 (-32) Gross: $0.58 million (-19%) Average per theater: $671 Total: $124.4 million
(26) "Topsy-Turvy"/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(27) "Man on the Moon"/Universal: Theaters: 624 (+32) Gross: $0.35 million (-19%) Average per theater: $560 Total: $33.8 million
(28) "Being John Malkovich"/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(29) "Cradle Will Rock"/BV: Theaters: 498 (-8) Gross: $0.30 million (-49%) Average per theater: $605 Total: $2.3 million
(30) "The Bone Collector"/Universal: Theaters: 332 (-9) Gross: $0.16 million (-27%) Average per theater: $490 Total: $65.4 million
(31) "End of Days"/Universal: Theaters: 338 (+2) Gross: $0.15 million (-27%) Average per theater: $445 Total: $65.8 million
(32) "Titus"/Fox Searchlight: Theaters: 16 (+1) Gross: $0.14 million (-6%) Average per theater: $7,778 Total: $0.7 million
(33) "My Dog Skip"/Warner Bros. Theaters: 30 (+2) Gross: $0.11 million (+5%) Average per theater: $3,540 Total: $0.3 million
(34) "Grizzly Falls"/Providence: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(35) "Rear Window"/USA: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(36) "The Cup"/Fine Line: (tie) (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(36) "The Big Tease"/Warner Bros. (tie) (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

Title

Provided voice of Slinky Dog in the computer-generated animated film "Toy Story"

First film in a lead role other than Ernest, "The Beverly Hillbillies"

Played a regular character on the short-lived series, "Pink Lady"

Diagnosed with lung cancer; in September underwent surgery to remove two-thirds of right lung; followed up with radiation treatment

Moved to New York City with $65 dollars

Appeared in the "Fernwood Tonight" spinoff, "America Tonight"

Reprised vocal role as Slinky Dog in the sequel "Toy Story 2"

Appeared in dinner theater productions of "Death of a Salesman", "The Homecoming" and "Guys and Dolls"

Starred in the children's TV series, "Hey Vern, It's Ernest"

First appeared in commercials as the character Ernest P. Worrell

Final screen role in "Daddy and Them" (filmed in 1998), directed by Billy Bob Thornton; screened at Montreal; released theatrically in 2002

Feature acting debut, "Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam"

Completed an acting apprenticeship with the Barter Theatre

Reprised signature role in "Ernest Saves Christmas"

Worked as a stand-up comedian

Publicly disclosed battle with cancer (November)

Appeared in the Southern Dairy ad campaign as Sgt. Glory for five years

Co-starred in the ill-fated series, "The Rousters"

First feature in a leading role, "Ernest Goes to Camp", as Ernest P Worrell

Began acting in local theater at age eight (date approximate)

Played first professional acting role, as Puck in a regional production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Introduced signature character of Ernest P Worell in TV commercials

Co-starred in the TV series, "Operation Petticoat" and "The New Operation Petticoat"

TV series debut, "Johnny Cash and Friends"

Summary

Lanky comic performer of TV and film with a prominent nose, best known for his portrayal of the dimwitted Southern nuisance, Ernest P. Worrell. Varney's signature character first appeared in commercials in 1980 and eventually graduated to star status in features and a children's TV program. Varney began as a stand-up comedian while auditioning for off-Broadway roles. In the early 70s, he starred for five years as Sgt. Glory in a series of Southern Dairy commercials. His first big break came when cast as a regular in the variety series, "Johnny Cash and Friends" (1976). He next appeared in a succession of short-lived TV shows: "Operation Petticoat" (1977), "The New Operation Petticoat" (1978), "America 2-night" (1978), "Pink Lady" (1980), and "The Rousters" (1983).<p>With the success of the Ernest TV commercials, Varney moved the character to features with "Ernest Goes to Camp" (1987), the first in a series of amiably stupid features (i.e., "Ernest Saves Christmas" 1988; "Ernest Goes to School" 1994; "Ernest in the Army" 1998). He received his highest profile film role as Jed Clampett, a newly rich "poor mountaineer who barely kept his family fed", in the hit comedy "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1993), based on the fondly remembered 1960s TV sitcom. Varney also entertained children of all ages by providing the vocals for Slinky Dog in the computer animated "Toy Story" (1995) and its sequel "Toy Story 2" (1999). During the promotional tour for the latter, questions over the actor's radical change of appearance led to his disclosing a year-long battle with lung cancer. In September 1998, Varney under went surgery to remove most of his right lung followed by aggressive radiation therapy.

Name

Role

Comments

Jane Varney

Wife

divorced; his former wife acts as his spokesperson

Education

Name

Lafayette High School

Barter Theater

Notes

"Ernest is a neighbor or relative that we've all had at one time. He's abrasive, but he doesn't mean to be. He gets excited and ends up standing on your toes. I try to make him clownish and I don't want him too low key; and he's physically funny." --Jim Varney